Acknowledgment of God

"What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears. Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,
I killed you with the words of my mouth—
then my judgments go forth like the sun. For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:4-6 NIV)

That is what God wants. To be acknowledged as God. It is not very difficult to fathom since we, as human beings, desire to be acknowledged for what we are, too. I think, our purpose is not primarily to be good. Rather, being good is one of the effects of acknowledging God. It's like I acknowledge my father as my father, and obeying him comes with that acknowledgement. Because the office of father comes with a certain authority, and to acknowledge someone as one's father means I recognize that authority.